Puerto Vallarta Facts

Climate and Weather

From October through June, the days are usually sunny and dry, with average daytime temperatures of 80 ºF (28-30 ºC), quite comfortable for a stroll on the beach. Coastal breezes blow in from the ocean in the afternoon providing cooler evenings in winter months. Nighttime temperatures range from the 60's to the mid 70's (19-24 ºC). Summers are sunny with afternoon rains - just enough to coll off for evening activities. The Hawaiian Islands and Puerto Vallarta are both located in the same global latitude 20ºN and share the same tropical climate.

Winter - (December 22 - March 21)
Spring - (March 22 - June 21)
Summer - (June 22- September 21)
Autumn - (September 22 - December 21)

Location

Puerto Vallarta sits on the Costa Dorada of Mexico, at the mid-point of Banderas Bay, where the Pacific Ocean washes the border between Jalisco and Nayarit.

Hotel Rooms

Puerto Vallarta offers more than 22,000 rooms from budget lodging to five-star resorts, there are a variety of Puerto Vallarta accommodations to choose from.

Business Hours

Most shopping malls are open from 9 AM to 8 PM, Normally business hours are:

Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, usually with a two hour break from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM.

Some public offices work from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM without breaks and close after that.

México, like most American countries has a more relaxed view of working schedules, some businesses, such as Banks and Supermarkets are very strict, but shops and others can have working schedules that vary quite a bit from the norm, opening earlier, closing later.

Transportation

By Air: It's very easy to get to Puerto Vallarta, in high season there are more than 400 flights arriving weekly.

By Bus: The bus terminal is located 14 kilómetros North of the city. Taxis and local buses provide service from the terminal to almost any place in town.

Water

Do drink the water! Purified water is standard in all hotels and restaurants. In addition Puerto Vallarta's water authority (SEAPAL) has received special recognition certifying the cleanliness of the local water supply for five consecutive years.

If in doubt you can buy bottled mineral water in almost any store.

Population

Puerto Vallarta is home to 350,000 residents and attracts more than 2 million visitors annually.

Time Zone

Puerto Vallarta is Central Standard Time year round.

Public Transportation

Taxis - You can find taxis all over the place and at any time of the day or night. Just step onto any street curb and wave as one approaches.

If you are close to where you're going, only a couple of miles, it shouldn't be more than 20 or 30 pesos ($2 or $3), maybe a little more if you have to go further.

Buses - The buses are a very convenient way to get around town on. Buses here are privately owned, and some look a bit funky. But they do get you where you want to go and you are woven into the Mexican fabric as you journey.

The current bus fare to go anywhere in town is about 4 pesos (40 cents U.S.).